What Happened to Dakota Johnson?

Dakota Johnson's career has seen a significant evolution since her breakthrough in the 'Fifty Shades' franchise, moving towards a more diverse and often critically acclaimed filmography, while also stepping into a more prominent role behind the camera as a producer. The period from 2024 to 2026 highlights both commercial challenges and continued artistic growth, alongside notable shifts in her personal and public life.

In early 2024, Johnson starred in the highly anticipated superhero film "Madame Web," which was released in February. The film, part of Sony's Spider-Man Universe, faced widespread critical condemnation and underperformed at the box office. Johnson herself was notably candid about the experience, stating she was "not surprised" by the negative reception and that she would "probably never do anything like it again," attributing the outcome to committee-driven decisions and significant script changes during production. Despite this setback, Johnson continued to release other projects, including "Am I OK?", which premiered on Max in June 2024, and "Daddio," which had a theatrical release in June 2024 after premiering at film festivals in 2023.

2025 proved to be a busy year for Johnson with the release of Celine Song's romantic comedy-drama "Materialists" in June, where she starred alongside Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal. This film received generally positive reviews and was a commercial success. She also starred in and produced "Splitsville," a romantic comedy that was featured at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and released theatrically in September 2025. These projects underscored her commitment to varied roles and her growing influence as a producer through her company, TeaTime Pictures, which aims to champion female-driven stories.

Her personal life also saw significant changes. After an eight-year, on-and-off relationship with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, reports confirmed their split in June 2025, citing differing views on marriage and starting a family. Towards the end of 2025 and into early 2026, Johnson was linked to musician Tucker Pillsbury, known as Role Model, sparking dating rumors. However, by March 2026, sources close to Johnson indicated she was "playing the field" and not rushing into a new relationship, suggesting the connection was casual. This period also saw her expand her public profile through brand partnerships, becoming a global brand ambassador for Valentino in October 2025 and the face of Calvin Klein's Spring 2026 campaign.

As of May 2026, Johnson continues to be a prominent figure in entertainment. She was featured in TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026, with an accompanying essay written by Taylor Swift, highlighting her refreshing honesty and diverse career. Looking ahead, she has the psychological erotic thriller "Verity" scheduled for release in October 2026. Most recently, in May 2026, it was announced that Johnson would star alongside Mick Jagger, Josh O'Connor, and Saoirse Ronan in Alice Rohrwacher's upcoming gothic drama, "Three Incestuous Sisters," further demonstrating her continued pursuit of artistically interesting and diverse projects.